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Barcelona Target Arsenal Defender Thomas Vermaelen

Barcelona are set to make a summer bid for Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen according to The Sun.

The Catalan giants are keen to sign a centre-back during the summer to cover for their ageing captain Carlos Puyol.

The club are keen to sign a defender who can fit into their passing style out of play and rumoured to attracted to Vermaelen on account of his ability to pass the ball out of defence.

A move may also suit Arsenal who are rumoured to be ready to enter the transfer market for a new centre-back.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly unhappy at the number of defensive mistakes this season and is ready to sacrifice one of Vermaelen or Per Mertesacker in order to bring in a defender with stronger leadership capabilities.

The Arsenal backline were twice caught flat-footed in the 2-1 defeat to bitter rivals Tottenham, and that result now leaves them poorly placed to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Barcelona had considered a move for Dortmund’s Mats Hummels, but have reportedly been put off by the price tag the Bundesliga club have slapped on the player.

Should Arsenal decide to hold on to Vermaelen, the Barcelona hierarchy are also rumoured to be monitoring the availability of Liverpool defender Daniel Agger.